Manchester City will begin the defence of their Premier League title with a home fixture against Southampton. Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Manchester City will begin their Premier League title defence with a home match against Southampton face Nigel Adkins's newly promoted side on 18 August at the Etihad Stadium.

United, pipped on the final day of the 2011-12 season by Manchester City, open with a match at Everton before taking on Fulham at Old Trafford the following weekend.

Arsenal, who finished third, start with a home game against Sunderland, before taking to the road with trips to Stoke City and Liverpool.

Two Europa League rivals meet on the opening day at St James' Park, with Newcastle taking on Tottenham Hotspur, currently managerless after the sacking of Harry Redknapp.

Roberto Di Matteo's career as the permanent Chelsea coach starts with a game at Wigan Athletic. Their first home game is against Newcastle.

Brendan Rodgers's Liverpool open at West Bromwich Albion, although the first three Anfield fixtures are more eye-catching, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United the visitors. The team Rodgers left, Swansea City, now managed by Michael Laudrup, begin at Queens Park Rangers.

West Ham United's return to the Premier League starts with a home match against Aston Villa, now under the leadership of Paul Lambert. Their fellow newcomers Reading will also have home advantage in their first top-flight game for four years, with Stoke the opening-day opponents.

The other first-day match sees Fulham and Norwich City meet at Craven Cottage in Chris Hughton's first competitive game since replacing Lambert as the Canaries manager.

Boxing Day sees Manchester United face Newcastle, while Sunderland and City meet at the Stadium of Light.

Newcastle against Arsenal is the most notable of the 19 May fixtures, when West Ham and Reading play for what could be three priceless points at Upton Park.